Doctor_Nova
New Member
tl'dr I recently aquired a large male redfoot this past tuesday. We keep him and our other tortoises outside with a heated shelter and plenty of natural weeds and safe plants to eat with subsituded nutritional need and fruit.
However, since arriving here he has been rather lethargic, often pushing himself with his back legs and crawling forward with his front. Likewise his apetite is very low, but I was able to get him to take cactus pads, strawberry, and some mazzuri pellets via hand feeding. (Once I got him to eat, he'd eat on his own for a bit.) Recently I've also noticed he is everting his penis, doesnt seem to be a prolapse as it will retract on its own so im not sure there(I have my mature female seperated at a friends house for quarantine).
Overall these are the "issues" I've noted.
- Doesnt properly high walks, opts to drag himself. All legs however are responsive and if I provide support by holding him, he will walk normally and try to get away.
- Lack of appetite
- Eyes are watery, but i've noticed this with redfoots before where they just have wet eyes.
- Hasn't pooped outside a little bit tidbits during soaks, exposure of genitals seems to happen after/during soaking.
- He does extend his neck quite freequently with his head pointed up, as if his breathing is strained, but I very rarely hear any sound outside of when i mess with him or he exerts himself.
- I've also noted no bubles in the nose, however I have began saline flushes just incase.
My current working theories are a possible URI and constipation? The latter of which I am using soaks, cacti, and mineral oil to try and help. I will be reaching out to my vet on monday.
However, since arriving here he has been rather lethargic, often pushing himself with his back legs and crawling forward with his front. Likewise his apetite is very low, but I was able to get him to take cactus pads, strawberry, and some mazzuri pellets via hand feeding. (Once I got him to eat, he'd eat on his own for a bit.) Recently I've also noticed he is everting his penis, doesnt seem to be a prolapse as it will retract on its own so im not sure there(I have my mature female seperated at a friends house for quarantine).
Overall these are the "issues" I've noted.
- Doesnt properly high walks, opts to drag himself. All legs however are responsive and if I provide support by holding him, he will walk normally and try to get away.
- Lack of appetite
- Eyes are watery, but i've noticed this with redfoots before where they just have wet eyes.
- Hasn't pooped outside a little bit tidbits during soaks, exposure of genitals seems to happen after/during soaking.
- He does extend his neck quite freequently with his head pointed up, as if his breathing is strained, but I very rarely hear any sound outside of when i mess with him or he exerts himself.
- I've also noted no bubles in the nose, however I have began saline flushes just incase.
My current working theories are a possible URI and constipation? The latter of which I am using soaks, cacti, and mineral oil to try and help. I will be reaching out to my vet on monday.
